The disappointment from Sunday’s Carling Cup shock was well and truly buried at the Emirates on Wednesday after Arsenal thrashed Leyton Orient 5-0 in their FA Cup fifth round replay. The Gunners now travel to Old Trafford for what promises to be a classic clash against Manchester United.

Purpose

If Orient ever had any aspirations of trying to cause a shock in north London, Arsenal only had purpose and determination in mind to get the job done. Nicklas Bendtner scored a hat trick, with Marouane Chamakh netting for the first time in fourteen games, with the rarity of a Gael Clichy goal adding gloss to what was in fact a very comfortable night for Arsene Wenger’s men.

Moved

Chamakh opened the scoring on seven minutes. Thomas Rosicky raced in from the right, and despite not connecting cleanly with the ball, the Morocco striker was able to steer it in. Arsenal passed and moved with purpose as Orient chose to back off. It was to cost the visitors again on the half hour mark. Kieran Gibbs floated a cross from the left that Bendtner rose to head powerfully in to double the lead. Three minutes before the break and a Gunners’ third arrived.

Bendtner was enjoying good possession, but he lost the ball momentarily, but Rosicky was on hand to re-activate the attack. His pass to Bendtner was perfect and the Dane made no mistake, curling a shot in from 15 yards.

Fierce

3-0 up and looking comfortable, it was at that point that there may have been a concentration worry for Arsenal, but Denilson’s fierce drive ensured we all were aware that the Gunners would go for more goals. After Abou Diaby worked an opening, but hit wide with only the ‘keeper to beat, it was Gibbs surge forward that gave the Gunners a fourth. Gibbs trickery was too much for Revell who brought him down in the area. Up stepped Bendtner to get his hat-trick goal on 62 minutes.

Wenger brought on Nasri for the injured Rosicky – he appeared to be concussed – and Jack Wilshere for Bendtner. Mention must be made of Conor Henderson’s contribution, he looks like another good prospect from the Gunners’ youth set up.

Rocket

Arsenal’s fifth goal came from a rocket from Clichy. Emmanuel Eboue’s cross from the right evaded both Nasri and then Wilshere, but Clichy let fly with a thunderbolt for his first goal at the Emirates and complete the rout in a game that many were watching to see how Arsenal would react from Sunday.